10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
- May encourage fat burning Coconut oil is a rich source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of saturated fat.
- May work as a quick source of energy The MCTs in coconut oil provide a quick supply of energy. When you eat...
- May have antimicrobial effects Coconut oil has antimicrobial and antifungal properties...
Full Answer
What are the health benefits of drinking coconut oil?
Some recipes that can be made with coconut oil are:
- lip balms
- homemade toothpaste
- natural deodorant
- shaving cream
- massage oil
Is coconut oil bad for your health?
There are 3 main types of coconut oil:
- Virgin or Unrefined – extracted from the fruit of fresh mature coconuts without using high temperatures or chemicals.
- Refined – made from dried coconut meat that’s often chemically bleached and deodorized.
- Partially Hydrogenated – further processed and transforms some of the un saturated fats (the good fats) into trans fats (the bad fat).
How much coconut oil should you consume daily?
Nutrition Facts for 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 240 calories
- 28 grams of total fat
- 24 grams of saturated fat
- 2 grams of Polyunsaturated
- 2 grams of Monounsaturated
What are the dangers of coconut oil?
- tingling in the mouth, throat or lips
- hives
- eczema
- swelling of the mouth and gums
Is a spoonful of coconut oil a day good for you?
That said, as long as you moderate your intake of coconut oil, you can definitely enjoy it as part of a healthy diet. Coconut oil is high in saturated fats and should be treated like any other fat or oil. While it can be part of a nutritious diet, it's best to stick to two tablespoons (28 grams) or less per day.
What are 3 benefits of coconut oil?
10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Coconut OilMay encourage fat burning. ... May work as a quick source of energy. ... May have antimicrobial effects. ... May help reduce hunger. ... May help reduce seizures. ... May boost skin health. ... May protect your hair. ... May improve oral health.More items...
Is drinking coconut oil good for you?
When taken by mouth: Coconut oil is commonly consumed in foods. But coconut oil contains a type of fat (saturated fat) that can increase cholesterol levels. Like all saturated fats, it should be consumed in moderation. Coconut oil is possibly safe when used as a medicine short-term.
Why is coconut oil healthier?
Coconut oil is 92% saturated fat and therefore raises cholesterol levels similar to animal fats (butter, lard). However, it contains a unique type of medium chain saturated fat called lauric acid that research shows raises HDL or "good" cholesterol levels, which may lower overall heart disease risk.
Is drinking hot water with coconut oil good?
Yes u can drink Virgin coconut oil in warm water.It helps digestion,relieves inflammation of the mucus layers,eases constipation,forms a healthy protective layer in gastrointestinal tract.
Does coconut oil clog your arteries?
Eating foods that contain coconut oil can increase your risk for heart problems. Fatty plaque buildup causes the artery walls to harden and narrow, making it difficult for blood to deliver the oxygen and nutrients your organs need.
What happens if we drink coconut oil in empty stomach?
Empty stomach: Taking virgin coconut oil empty stomach helps in curing stomach inflammation, reduces bacteria and improve digestion. At the time of breakfast: Virgin coconut can also be taken at the time of breakfast or in the early morning as it helps reducing belly fat faster.
Does coconut oil burn belly fat?
Effects on weight loss However, some research suggests that coconut oil may decrease belly fat. A 4-week study in 20 adults with obesity observed that taking 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of this oil daily significantly reduced waist circumference in male participants ( 18 ).
Is it good to drink coconut oil in the morning?
Coconut oil, when consumed right in the morning, can leave one feeling energised. It also gives a kickstart to your metabolism for all that's about to come throughout the day. Another benefit of consuming coconut oil in the morning is that it can help curb your appetite and might play a part in weight management.
What are the side effects of coconut oil?
Side effects can include diarrhea, cramps, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Coconut oil may also increase LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which can be dangerous for people with high cholesterol.
When should you take coconut oil?
In general VCO maybe taken anytime of the day, either as a single dose or divided doses spread throughout the whole day. If specific concern is weight loss, take it before meals. If problem is constipation, take it after dinner.
Is coconut oil anti-inflammatory?
20. Reduce Inflammation. Several animal studies show that eating coconut oil provides strong anti-inflammatory effects ( 33 , 34 , 35 ). Human studies suggest that eating coconut oil may reduce markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, especially when compared to highly unsaturated oils.
What is coconut oil used for?
Coconut oil has gained popularity in the last several years across the globe. It has a wide range of uses, from hair products to foods to sunscreen to deodorant. Its tasty flavor and adaptable properties make it the perfect ingredient to add to many different products.
Where does coconut oil come from?
Coconut oil comes from the coconuts on coconut palm trees ( Cocos nucifera ). There are two main types of coconut oil, copra oil and virgin coconut oil. Although they have similar fatty acid content, virgin coconut oil contains higher amounts of nutrients such as Vitamin E and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols (plant materials that have antioxidant properties).
Does coconut oil contain lauric acid?
Lauric acid is a type of saturated fat found in coconut oil, and in fact, this oil contains the highest levels of lauric acid in a natural source. Studies have shown that lauric acid travels to the liver and is converted into energy instead of being stored in your body as fat, which could potentially help in weight loss.
Is coconut oil good for you?
Coconut oil has many nutrients that can contribute to your health and to a good diet. It’s full of fatty acids that your body needs and may help improve cognitive function, metabolism, and hair and skin health.
Does coconut oil help with hair loss?
In addition, coconut oil can decrease protein loss in your hair, improving your hair health. Not all cholesterol is bad. Coconut oil has been found to increase levels of HDL cholesterol, also known as “good cholesterol,” in some women, while lowering the bad type, LDL cholesterol.
Does coconut oil raise cholesterol?
Even though some studies have shown that coconut oil can boost good cholesterol and lower the bad, other studies have shown that compared to other oils like olive oil, coconut oil raised harmful LDL cholesterol levels. High levels of LDL cholesterol can raise your risk of developing heart diseases or suffering from a stroke.
Why is coconut oil good for your gums?
An abundance of MCTs is the reason why coconut oil is one of the many effective oils to pull with. The oil lifts the bacteria from the surfaces within the mouth and that's great because removing oral bacteria greatly reduces your risk of disease around your gums.
Why do you pull coconut oil around your mouth?
Ever heard of oil pulling? Well, before the invention of toothpaste, the act of swishing oil around the mouth was a method of cleansing the mouth of bacteria and for helping to heal the nasty ravages of periodontal disease. An abundance of MCTs is the reason why coconut oil is one of the many effective oils to pull with. The oil lifts the bacteria from the surfaces within the mouth and that's great because removing oral bacteria greatly reduces your risk of disease around your gums. A 2008 study found that oil pulling reduced plaque-causing bacteria. Experts recommend coconut oil pulling three times a week for 20 minutes a day to protect your mouth and its valuable contents.
Does coconut oil kill viruses?
It kills bacteria. Shutterstock. Around half of the fatty acids in coconut oil are lauric acid. Lauric acid is particularly good at killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi; therefore, it's great in helping you stave off infections when used externally.
Does coconut oil help you lose weight?
A meta-analysis of 13 studies published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can help you lose weight when they replace long-chain triglycerides ( like those from soybean and canola oil) in your diet. And a Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology showed that the MCT in coconut oil can increase diet-induced thermogenesis in humans by as much as 6%.
Does coconut oil increase thermogenesis?
And a Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology showed that the MCT in coconut oil can increase diet-induced thermogenesis in humans by as much as 6%. Yet another study found MCTs to increase 24-hour energy expenditure in humans by as much as 5%.
Does coconut oil help with heart disease?
By increasing the HDL in the body and changing the ratio of HDL to LDL, the saturated fat in coconut oil helps promote heart health and lower the risk of heart disease. And for more heart-healthy options, here are 20 Foods That Can Help Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease. 8.
Can you use coconut oil for muscle building?
The MCTs found in coconut are also used in popular muscle-building products like Perfect Keto Protein Powder. But many supplements use processed forms of MCTs. By eating adding actual coconut oil, you'll benefit from getting your MCTs in their natural and most effective form. Add 1-2 tablespoons of it to a muscle-building shake daily to feel the full benefits of coconut oil.
Why is coconut oil good for you?
8. Improves Energy and Endurance. Coconut oil is easy to digest and also produces a longer sustained energy and increases your metabolism. When taking a quality unrefined coconut oil, you can get the most coconut oil benefits as its MCFAs are sent directly to the liver to be converted into energy.
Why do we need coconut oil?
Many diseases today are caused by the overgrowth of bad bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites in the body. You can replace grains and sugar in your diet with coconut oil as your natural fuel source when you’re sick. Sugar feeds the growth of bad bacteria.
How many calories are in a tablespoon of coconut oil?
One tablespoon of coconut oil contains about 120 calories, 14 grams of fat, no fiber, no cholesterol and only trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. All things considered, it’s the MCFAs present in coconut copra that makes it a true superfood, and it’s why coconut oil health benefits are so plentiful and amazing.
Why does coconut oil have a firm texture?
Coconut oil has a firm texture at cool or room temperatures because the fats in the oil, which are mostly saturated fats, are made up of smaller molecules. At temperatures about 78 degrees, coconut oil liquifies.
What is virgin coconut oil?
Virgin coconut oil typically has a great nutty and sweet flavor . Within the virgin coconut oil category, you’ll see oil that’s been produced using a “wet-milling” method, which means that it’s extracted from fresh coconut meat, and oil that’s been produced with a dry method, as dried copra is used instead.
How often should I use coconut oil to heal gums?
If you want to heal your gums and repair your teeth, I recommend coconut oil pulling three times a week for 20 minutes a day. 13.
What temperature does coconut oil liquify?
At temperatures about 78 degrees, coconut oil liquifies. It has a smoke point of about 350 degrees, making it a great oil option for sautéed dishes, sauces and baked goods. It is also easily absorbed into the skin because of its smaller fat molecules, making it an excellent skin and scalp moisturizer.
